In evanston, the wind took down thick, decades-old trees like match-sticks, spreading the debris everywhere on homes, power lines..and cars.

It's the same story in Skokie -- trees down, plenty of property damage, but no injuries.

And imagine if you were gassing-up when this came down? The canopy at a Marathon station in Elk Grove Village was pulled up by roots that were firmly planted in concrete. Shocked workers could only watch and be glad that business was slow.

At a couple of rail crossings, including one in Glenview, the arms on the railway gate were snapped off. Police were called to manage traffic.

In Wilmette, damaged homes and downed power lines from falling trees and flying limbs, and in at least one case, it’s not just outside.